Want to make your resume pop? Ready to roll up your sleeves and make a real difference? Looking to grow your professional skills while experiencing a completely new way of life? Finally, do you like sunset BBQs and all things rainbow?
If so, an internship in South Africa might be exactly what you’re looking for.
South Africa welcomes hardworking, motivated young professionals to take on a variety of roles and projects across the country. All they ask is that you come open-minded, eager to learn, and ready to work hard. Keep reading to find out why interning in South Africa is an experience you don’t want to miss.
Have life-changing, important experiences—both at the work and in your time off!
Why intern in South Africa?
If you want to intern somewhere that challenges you, inspires you, and opens your eyes to new perspectives, South Africa is calling your name. This vibrant country offers a unique blend of rich cultures, breathtaking landscapes, and meaningful work opportunities across a wide range of fields. If you’re still unsure if the Rainbow Nation is the right place for you, here are a few reasons why we think South Africa is an internship destination like no other:
1. There are plenty of cool places in South Africa to choose from.
Don’t be fooled into thinking that all of South Africa is the same. There’s a wide range of placements to choose from, whether you prefer urban cities or somewhere way out in the sticks (really far out!).
The bell of the internship ball, Cape Town, has a ton to offer—amazing access to nature, a progressive, hip vibe, and dozens of high-quality internships. But there are plenty more options, from national parks to historic neighborhoods in Johannesburg to community development projects in eastern Durban and the capital, Pretoria.
And that’s not even scratching the surface. To intern in South Africa is to sign up for a whirlwind of opportunity to explore, dig deeper, and feel enchanted by this often overlooked country.
2. You can intern in just about anything.
Want to work closely with big cats? Check out our zoology & wildlife sciences internships in South Africa. Hoping to add some serious street cred to your resume to improve your chances of landing a big-wig business job after college? These business internships are worth checking out. Do you dream of becoming a doctor someday? Explore medical internships, please!
Several programs offer tailored placements across dozens of fields and specialties. Where there’s a will, there’s a way—and the perfect internship for you.
Want to work with elephants? No prob. Want to work in a hospital? That works too!
3. It’s not easy.
Living in South Africa may be a different experience compared to what you're used to at home or in a more familiar destination. You might encounter some differences in everyday routines, access to certain amenities, or ways of communicating. These differences can take some adjustment, but they also offer a valuable opportunity to learn, grow, and gain a deeper understanding of a unique and vibrant culture.
4. It won’t break the bank.
Cost can be a major factor for interns abroad. Luckily, South Africa is a relatively affordable country to travel to. At the time of writing, 1 USD is approximately 18 South African rand. For example, a meal out typically costs around $9, bread is less than $1, and a domestic beer is about $1.50. With a favorable exchange rate, interning abroad in South Africa can be done quite easily on a budget.
5. There are so many good programs to choose from.
Dozens of established, reputable programs are at the ready to help make your time interning in South Africa go as smoothly as possible. Organizations like VACorps and Connect-123 receive consistently high ratings and positive feedback from program participants.
You also can’t go wrong with GoEco’s unparalleled conservation opportunities. If you're aiming for a more socially justice-oriented internship, Kaya will be a great fit for you.
Here are the cliff notes on what to look for when evaluating potential internships abroad:
- Happy alumni (read program reviews!)
- Great support systems in place for before, during, AND after your South Africa internship
- Customized internship placement that matches your goals
- Alumni services and support, including networking and other business opportunities
- A strong safety record
- A focus on reciprocity within South African communities
- Other perks, like supplied housing, social events, cultural immersion activities, language classes (add “Xhosa” to your list of special skills!)
6. You’ll participate in different ways of living.
Will every street be this colorful?
As with any travel experience, your life as an intern will likely be quite different from your everyday life on your college campus or your usual routine at home. Interning in South Africa offers the opportunity to engage with new cultures, experience different workplace environments, and reflect on your own country through a new and thoughtful lens.
You may encounter differences in language, food, professional expectations, and how people spend their time outside of work. Embracing these new aspects of your environment can broaden your perspective and support your growth as both a global citizen and a young professional.
7. You’ll grow professionally AND personally.
That little thing you call your comfort zone? It’s about to expand in a big way. Stepping outside of familiar surroundings takes courage, and with that bold move comes the potential for deep, meaningful learning.
The reward for embracing the challenges ahead is a broader sense of confidence, resilience, and self-reliance. You’ll become more comfortable navigating the unfamiliar, and you’ll develop a lasting openness to new experiences– and the valuable lessons they bring, even when they’re not easy.
8. It gives you a global perspective
Yes, you can read articles, watch documentaries, and befriend international students on campus. Still, none of that compares to the insight you gain from being on the ground in a different country. Living and interning in South Africa will give you access to everyday moments– conversations, routines, challenges– that can’t be captured from a distance.
These experiences will force you to challenge assumptions you didn’t even know you had, and expand your perspective in ways that will shift how you view the world.
Clinks to world peace
9. You’ll have a bomb resume.
Seriously.
Who doesn’t want to start their next interview with a quick yet potent anecdote from their time advancing women’s rights in a rural community? Or by demonstrating your cross-cultural communication skills vis-à-vis a project collaboration with your foreign manager?
[Why International Internships Are Great For You & Your CV]
Adding an internship in South Africa to your resume will make it instantly rise to the top of the pile!
The long-term payoff
Interning in South Africa isn’t just a short-term adventure—it’s an investment in your future. The professional skills, cultural awareness, and personal growth you gain will continue to open doors long after your internship ends. Whether it’s impressing future employers, finding your passion, or simply becoming a more confident version of yourself, the experience stays with you in meaningful, lasting ways. You’ll come away with real stories of impact, challenges you overcame, and the kind of global perspective that can’t be taught in a classroom.
Years down the line, you'll still find yourself drawing on what you learned during your time in South Africa—professionally, personally, and everywhere in between.
Improve your career prospects—intern in South Africa!
Big opportunities await!
You're going to love life as an intern in South Africa. You won't just file paperwork or do coffee runs for bigwigs. You'll gain real, hands-on experience that helps you discover your strengths and areas for growth in your chosen career path. You'll walk away a more grounded and self-aware world citizen, eager to put your skills to good use for our global community.
Get ready for a journey that will challenge, inspire, and transform you in ways you can only begin to imagine!
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